One of 15 student leaders across the country, Long will represent the Florida Student Association for about a week this summer, meeting with Russian government officials, entrepreneurs and student leaders, according to a New College news release. The program began in 2010 "to introduce the next generation of American leadership to the cultural and historic context in which Russian people and institutions operate as well as to help dismantle stereotypes left behind by the Cold War."

Long is about to enter his junior year at New College, an environmental studies major with his eyes set on politics after graduation. At 20, he is the youngest student ever elected to chair the Florida Student Association.

Last fall he memorably faced-off with Sen. JD Alexander over the Board of Governors' decision about whether to create the state's 12th university. The board eventually gave the move a thumbs-up, but not after Long earned a gasp from the crowd when he chastized Alexander for what he deemed intimidation tactics.

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.